Wilson Compton, deputy director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), visited UMBC on April 20, meeting with President Freeman A. Hrabowski, Vice President for Research Karl V. Steiner, and other distinguished faculty. Michael Summers, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and recent electee to the National Academy of Sciences, discussed his groundbreaking HIV research with Compton. Compton also made a presentation to UMBC faculty about NIDA’s goals and opportunities for researchers, ensuring that UMBC faculty are aware of the range of resources available to them.

Joe Frascella, senior science advisor to the director of NIDA and previous director of the division of clinical neuroscience and behavior research at NIDA, is currently at based UMBC in the Office of the Vice President for Research under a one-year Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement. He is working with UMBC faculty to increase awareness of NIH research opportunities, mentoring students and faculty on grant-writing strategies, and establishing collaborations between NIH institutes and UMBC. He is also working to boost diversity at NIH by expanding connections between UMBC and NIH.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with students and faculty at UMBC during this year,” said Frascella. “I have been very impressed with the unique strengths of UMBC to attract and prepare students from a broad variety of backgrounds for future careers, especially in the biomedical field. My goal is to establish long-term relationships and learn from UMBC how NIH could enhance its own programs.”